Pentagon says US industry still years from matching Ukraine’s wartime output

The U.S. defense industry is still several years away from matching Ukraine's wartime drone production capabilities, according to officials within the Pentagon. Travis Metz, deputy director and chief operating officer of the Defense Innovation Unit, stated during an interview that Ukraine plans to manufacture between six and seven million small first-person-view attack drones this year, averaging around 500,000 per month. In contrast, the Pentagon’s $1.1 billion drone program had ordered just under 200,000 drones by February. Metz emphasized that scaling up production from zero to 200,000 is significantly more challenging than expanding further once domestic manufacturing capacity is established. A recent change in policy has complicated efforts to increase drone production. The Pentagon introduced new rules requiring military drones to be built using U.S.-made components. This update to the supply chain framework, issued on July 23, includes language stating the government aims for a “wholly domestic” small unmanned aircraft system supply chain. Metz noted that sourcing certain components, particularly semiconductors, continues to pose a major challenge beyond the drone initiative. He pointed out that many of the drones acquired in an earlier phase of the program likely included Chinese-made brushless motors and battery packs, which are now prohibited under the updated standards. During an August test event involving 19 companies, none of the participating firms were allowed to use banned components such as Chinese-made brushless motors or battery packs. This represents a stricter standard compared to the initial phase of the program. Metz described the process as “an increasingly difficult thing,” acknowledging the challenges posed by these restrictions. Despite these hurdles, he expressed confidence that the United States could eventually surpass Ukraine’s drone production capabilities. “I see no reason why we shouldn’t … be the world champions of this as well,” he said. Metz also highlighted ongoing collaborations between Ukrainian drone manufacturers and U.S. companies. All six Ukrainian companies invited to participate in the upcoming “Gauntlet II” test at Fort Carson, Colorado, have either joined or are in the process of forming joint ventures with American manufacturers. For instance, Ukrainian company F-Drones has partnered with Ohio-based Ukrainian Defense Drones, which recently opened a facility near Toledo. Similarly, Ukrainian drone maker General Cherry has agreed to a joint venture with New Hampshire’s Wilcox Industries, according to statements from both companies. The structure of the Gauntlet II test requires participating Ukrainian companies to localize production within the United States as a prerequisite for securing future contracts. This approach is intended to transform Ukraine’s battlefield expertise into American manufacturing capacity, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. By fostering these partnerships, the Pentagon hopes to leverage Ukraine’s experience and technical know-how while simultaneously strengthening domestic industrial capabilities. As the U.S. works to meet its drone production goals, the shift toward fully domestic supply chains presents both opportunities and obstacles. While the collaboration with Ukrainian firms offers potential benefits, the challenges of sourcing critical components and adhering to strict compliance standards remain formidable. The success of initiatives like Gauntlet II will depend on how effectively these partnerships can bridge the gap between international expertise and American manufacturing capabilities.